TV Presenter lights up the night at The Sparkys
Released: Monday 24th September 2012 at 11:57
A nationally renowned television presenter has been praising the stars of the future and giving awards to those that could follow in her footsteps at a glittering awards ceremony.
Children’s TV presenter Kirsten O’Brien hosted the University of Sunderland’s Oscar style media awards, The Sparkys at the weekend.
The Middlesbrough-born entertainer Compèred the event which showcases the best of the work final-year television and video media students have produced, as well as journalism and radio students' projects, reflecting the range of cross-disciplinary skills a media graduate now must have.
This has been a hugely successful year for the University's media department, which has landed a number of industry accolades including 107 Spark FM who were named the best student radio station in the world.
Graeme Thompson, the Dean of the University of Sunderland's Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, said: “Last year’s winners have gone on to win regional and national awards, so that shows the standards are very high. It also highlights the way students are taught here is at the cutting edge of what they need in the industry. These awards are a showcase of their work and potential employers who attended the event may give them jobs or contracts as a result.”
The awards show the wide range of subjects and skills that are on offer to the students with awards including Best Drama, the Best Journalism Practical Project, Best Shorthand Reporting Skills and Best Radio Documentary.
Kirsten was given her first job in the industry by Graeme at ITV before she went on to become nationally known for presenting CBBC and shows such as Smart. She said she was delighted to be asked to present the awards and give any advice that she could.
She added: “I studied a media degree, and learning things such as PR, documentary filming, radio work and as much as anything else, it can teach you what areas you would like to specialise in following the end of your University course. Learning a wide array of different skills helps you find out what you enjoy and what your strengths are.
“My main piece of advice to any student or graduate who wants to get into the industry is to get as much experience as you possibly can. When I first started out I’d practise as much as I could in as many areas as I could. This meant that when it came to being asked to do things while employed, I knew about those skills and had an experience of what to do. Some of the prizes on offer at the Sparkys are work experience and I can’t emphasise the importance it can have, especially if you impress while you’re there.”
The awards were presented at the David Puttnam Media Centre, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s.
Winners:
Best Overall Production: In Pursuit Of Perfection (Lewis Bonner, Luke Garnham, Ryan McCollin)
Best Research: Brian O’Glanby (Shelved)
Best Sound: Lewis Bonner (In Pursuit Of Perfection)
Best Cinematography: Lewis Bonner (In Pursuit Of Perfection)
Best Editing: Luke Garnham (In Pursuit Of Perfection)
Best Graphics: Christopher Hine (Will She, Won’t She?)
Best Visual Effects: Maria Raina Ferrie (Nicoteine)
Best Live Radio: Aquatics Centre Outside Broadcast (MAC 310)
Best Practical Journalism Project: Jamie Orrell (The United)
Sunderland AFC Christopher McKee Best Sports Journalist Award: Chris Glancey
Best Shorthand Skills: Ryan Kennedy
Best Dissertation: Rachel Stoker
Best Script: Gently Down The Stream (Brian O’Glanby)
Best Director: Brian O’Glanby (Gently Down The Stream)
Best Drama: Gently Down The Stream (Brian O’Glanby)
Best Documentary: In Pursuit Of Perfection (Lewis Bonner)
Best Radio Drama: A Case Of Music To Die For (Glenn Hudson)
Best Radio Documentary: Shoe Are You (Jessica Watson)
Best Entertainment: Nestled In (Jonny Scrafton)
Best Animation: Telerium (Bianca Pollio)
Best Multi-platform: Up N’ Dance (Tuulia Kakale)
Best Radio Producer: Glenn Hudson